UNLABELLED Arthropods form a major part of the biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. Many species are valued because they provide ecosystem services, including biological control, pollination and decomposition, or because they are of conservation interest. Some arthropods reduce crop yield and quality, and conventional chemical pesticides, biological control agents and genetically engineered...

The role of genetically modified (GM) crops for food security is the subject of public controversy. GM crops could contribute to food production increases and higher food availability. There may also be impacts on food quality and nutrient composition. Finally, growing GM crops may influence farmers' income and thus their economic access to food. Smallholder farmers make up a large proportion o...

The transatlantic debate over the use of genetically modified organisms (“GMO”s) as food products, with the US as a proponent on one side, and the European Union (“EU”) as an opponent on the other, is set to take center stage. The US has initiated formal legal action under the World Trade Organization Dispute Settlement System, charging that the EU violates several agreements of international t...

Consumers’ views of genetically modified foods (GM foods) can influence food producers’ decisions as to whether to market GM foods or whether to use conventional varieties. Through labelling, supported by certification, consumers could differentiate a GM food from a conventional food. A working group of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling identified seven approaches to labelling of GM foods. ...

Like any technology, agricultural biotechnologies that use genetically modified organisms (gMOs) have their opponents and supporters. For their proponents, the significant benefits of gMOs for humans, animals and the environment clearly outweigh any risks that are inherent with new technologies ( Jauhar, 2006; reis et al, 2006). For example, crops could be genetically engineered to grow more qu...

Glufosinate is currently used to kill unwanted plants in landscape areas where a complete vegetation kill is desired (for example, around the base of shrubs, in sand traps on golf courses, or around fence and sign posts) in industrial, recreational, and public areas such as airports, schools, parking lots, roadsides, and railroad rights-ofway. It is also used as a directed spray (away from crop...

This report suggests a structured way to identify the type of data needed to perform a sound ecological risk assessment for genetically modified higher plants (GMHP). The identified data types are intended to support the evaluation of the following risks: risk of invasion and establishment of the modified plant in natural habitats; risk of introgression of the inserted traits to other plant spe...

The evidence to date shows that these three types of maize production have co-existed without economic and commercial problems. This includes in regions such as Catalunya where GM (Bt) is concentrated. Where non GM maize has been required in some markets, supplies have been relatively easily obtained, based on market-driven adherence to on/post farm segregation and by the purchase of maize from...

Biotechnology, especially the development of genetically modified crops, offers many potential economic, nutritional and environmental benefits, but equally many potential hazards and risks. Approval procedures for the release of genetically modified organisms are established under the Gene Technology Act 2000 (Cth). This article examines the methodology used to identify potential molecular ris...

The development of genetically modified crops has had a great impact on the agriculture and food industries. However, the development of any genetically modified organism (GMO) requires the application of analytical procedures to confirm the equivalence of the GMO compared to its isogenic non-transgenic counterpart. Moreover, the use of GMOs in foods and agriculture faces numerous criticisms fr...